Scott out to break Dove Mountain curse

Date: February 19 2013

Ben Everill

Adam Scott says before he can beat good friend Tim Clark he has to learn to beat the Dove Mountain course as he attempts to reverse a dismal recent record at this week's World Golf Championships Match Play tournament.

World No.7 Scott heads the four Australians competing among the world's best golfers in the elimination, head-to-head tournament but, despite his obvious skill and pedigree, he has little expectation on his shoulders.

That's because his form at the event since it moved to a desert at Tucson, Arizona in 2007 has been awful, losing in the first round loser four times and in the second round twice.

Prior to the move Scott finished third in 2003, made the third round in 2004 and the quarter-finals in 2005 when the event was held in La Costa, California.

"It's a challenge for me to get the better of not only my playing partner but also this golf course," Scott admitted.

"I need to start coming to terms with it. I want to make the most of the week and have a really good run and hopefully be around on the weekend.

"Desert golf isn't my favourite style of golf.

"The course isn't great and the altitude factor can be really fiddly. I haven't spent enough time playing in it to be precise with it but also I could say I haven't really ever come here with my best stuff so that all adds up to pretty ordinary results at Dove Mountain.

"But this is a new year and a new challenge to change it."

Scott comes into the event off a tie for 10th at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, his first tournament of the season, where he finished five strokes outside of a playoff.

With his usual precision off the tee and on approach a little off but with his short game showing great signs of improvement Scott is confident he'll be ready to go when he faces Clark in the first round of match play.

"It doesn't matter who you play its going to be a really tough match because we are talking about the top 60 odd golfers in the world," Scott said.

"Every player in the tournament is capable of beating the other on a good day so you just have to be ready to go."

Scott's bracket also includes fellow Australian John Senden who has drawn American Bo Van Pelt in the first round.

The Australian duo don't have it easy if they want to progress to the semi-finals, sitting in a bracket with 2011 champion and world No. 3 Luke Donald plus 2010 champion and match play specialist Ian Poulter.

Jason Day and Marcus Fraser are the only other Australians in the field, the equal lowest representation in the now 15-year history of the event.

Day will play former Masters champion Zach Johnson in round one and if successful could play South African Charl Schwartzel.

World No.1 Rory McIlroy is also in his bracket but the pair wouldn't meet until the quarter-finals should they progress that far.

Fraser has drawn 2011 US PGA champion Keegan Bradley in the first round in a bracket with the likes of Louis Oosthuizen, Ernie Els, Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia.

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